Image Credit: Luke Stoss
Months of learning and fun paid off for Cottonwood, Oakdale and Lakewood students at a FIRST* LEGO League robotics challenge in January.
“Our students kept their positivity during the competition, no matter what came their way,” explained April Mayorga. “They met their goal at each opportunity.” Mayorga is math coach and robotics co-coach with Kay Barriger, library media specialist at Oakdale. High school robotics students, as volunteers, mentored their younger counterparts.
“The older students came to our meetings and gave a lot of support to help the elementary schools launch teams,” said Mayorga. Central and South high school students worked with them through all the areas of the competition.
This year, the theme was City Scape and focused on local issues and solutions. The teams designed and programmed robots to work through modules representing areas in their city. On January 18 each team had to present their innovation project, present and discuss their robot with judges and have the robot perform in a robot game. Regardless of the outcome, the payoff is great. Gains extend beyond coding, problem solving and engineering; students develop teamwork skills and a love of discovery and innovation.
“Students emerge more confident, excited, and equipped with the skills they need in a changing workforce,” explained Sheila Shaffer, robotics coach and chemistry and physics teacher at Central High School.
Salina Central’s Robotics Team, 3172 HorsePOWER hosted the competition for 23 teams, including five Salina teams. Central’s 3172 has been involved with FIRST for 11 years. Many volunteers and financial partners such as the Salina Education Foundation, Great Plains Manufacturing and the Greater Salina Community Foundation have made these valuable experiences possible.
Core values of discovery, innovation, impact, inclusion, teamwork and fun are learned in robotics. Mayorga added, “Students apply the values to be successful in First LEGO League but more importantly they carry them wherever they go next.”
*For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
Image Credit: Luke Stoss
Image Credit: Luke Stoss
Image Credit: April Mayorga
Image Credit: Luke Stoss
Image Credit: Luke Stoss
Image Credit: Luke Stoss